‘Predictable’ – GT’s bowling is ‘a bit like SRH’s batting,’ says Tom Moody – Tom Moody Critiques GT Bowling Predictability After IPL Playoff Loss

The Vulnerability of a One-Dimensional Attack

In the high-stakes environment of the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, the Gujarat Titans (GT) faced a brutal reality check. Known for their formidable bowling attack that often dominates on home soil, the team found themselves dismantled by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) top-order. The combined figures of 7-0-100-2 from Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj served as a stark indicator that when conditions do not favor their specific style of play, GT’s primary strength quickly transforms into a significant liability.

The Moody and Rayudu Assessment

Tom Moody, the Lucknow Super Giants’ global director of cricket, provided a blunt assessment of GT’s tactical approach. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut, Moody compared the Titans’ bowling woes to the well-documented batting struggles of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). According to Moody, when a bowling attack relies almost exclusively on hitting hard lengths and utilizing swing, they become perilously predictable on flat surfaces.

“When there’s zero movement in the surface, that’s when they’re vulnerable, because they don’t have the real extreme change-ups of pace and variety,” Moody explained. He noted that while Rabada and Siraj possess the skills, they lack the diverse repertoire of deceptive deliveries—such as the subtle slower balls employed by specialists—that are required to stifle world-class batters on benign pitches.

Ambati Rayudu echoed these sentiments, noting that the consensus has shifted toward viewing GT as the “bowling version” of SRH. He argued that the team’s lack of a Plan B was evident during the match. “You can only be so good, but on a given day a batsman goes after you, what is your plan B? You don’t have great slower balls. You don’t bowl defensive bowling up top,” Rayudu stated. For Rayudu, the issue is fundamental: GT either maintains complete control or loses it entirely, with no middle ground.

The Powerplay Onslaught

The numbers from the Dharamsala encounter illustrate the point perfectly. RCB’s top order, led by Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, and Virat Kohli, capitalized on the lack of variety in GT’s attack. During the powerplay, RCB racked up a massive 76 runs, with the batters striking at phenomenal rates—Iyer at 271.42, Padikkal at 209.09, and Kohli at 188.88. The misery continued for GT as Rajat Patidar dismantled their line-up with an explosive 93 off just 33 balls.

Strategic Missteps: To Field or Not to Field?

The decision to field first after winning the toss has come under intense scrutiny. While chasing had been successful in previous games at the venue, Rayudu believes GT should have leaned into their strengths rather than adapting to the perceived norm. Drawing on wisdom from his time with the Mumbai Indians and the influence of Ricky Ponting, Rayudu emphasized the importance of putting runs on the board when under pressure.

“If I can’t land a punch and I can kick, you should only kick,” Rayudu remarked. “Why should you try and land a punch? You try and do what you can do best.” In this context, GT’s best chance was to set a defendable total and trust their bowlers to execute in a format they control, rather than chasing a score on a flat track that neutralized their primary weapon.

Conclusion

The failure in Dharamsala suggests that the Gujarat Titans may need to evolve their tactical approach if they wish to remain a dominant force in future seasons. While their hard-length bowling is world-class, the lack of depth in their change-up repertoire leaves them exposed to aggressive batting units. To compete at the highest level, a team must have the versatility to win not just on the surfaces that suit them, but in any environment the game demands.